We all love a good murder mystery and one that comes from the mind of PETER JAMES who wrote WISH YOU WERE DEAD which is at the New Theatre in Cardiff for the rest of the week, is a proper whodunit. Peter said this story was actually inspired by a real stay in Chambre d’Hote in France. He describes the place as being creepy with some very eccentric owners – bet that never appeared on TripAdvisor.
When you come into the auditorium the set is there for us all to see from the start, and it really is a first rate set which captures that French chateau vibe, but more of that shortly.
Before our review, here’s what last night’s audience thought of the production, cast and amazing set. You’ll also hear from NEET MOHAN, one of George’s colleagues from BBC’s Casualty.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has become a bit of a regular visitor to the New Theatre over the years, Wish You Were Dead continues the line of five successful stage plays and the critically acclaimed ITV series Grace, which are all based on Peter’s bestselling crime novels. This is the sixth adaptation of his books to make it to the stage – making it the most successful crime thriller stage franchise since Agatha Christie’s works were first adapted.
This time around Grace is played by GEORGE RAINSFORD, yes the guy from Casualty and Call The Midwife. In fact, the stage is filled with some very well known TV favourites including CLIVE MANTLE who’s been in everything from Robin of Sherwood to Holby City and Game of Thrones. He was also in the Superman IV movie apparently, but they cut his scene by all accounts. And, in her first stage outing there’s the award-winning KATIE MCGLYNN who was Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street.
We spoke to George at the theatre between performances. We spoke about his time in Cardiff with Casualty, the joy of being at the New Theatre, and how proud he is to have taken over as DSI Grace.
As you would expect from a murder mystery it’s splattered with tension, blood and intrigue but Peter has splashed in a fair bit of humour too, which comes as a welcome relief at certain points.
We follow DSI Roy Grace and Cleo Morley as they take their first family holiday together and a well earned break from their crime solving exploits.
Desperate for a bit of fun in the sun, they set off to France for a week of rest and relaxation, with their Nanny Kaitlynn, played by GEMMA STROYAN who’s there to look after their baby Noah while they relax. But things don’t go entirely to plan. When the humorous French hostess greets them at the eerie chateau they’ve booked in to, they begin to wonder if their week in paradise might become the holiday from hell.
That is about as much as I’m going to tell you about the plot, it is after all a whodunit and working that out is half the fun of a production like this.
All the elements are there to make this a proper thriller – a car battery that doesn’t work. No phone signal, animal heads hanging on the wall, a creepy four-poster bed, a very strange life-size image of Jesus on the cross and there’s even full suit of armour with a massive menacing chopper in his grip. Which brings me nicely back to the set.
It’s spectacular to be honest. Designer MICHAEL HOLT has made a magnificent job of cramming it all into the stage. There’s three separate areas, a bedroom, the entrance and an attic and something like six different entrances to the stage. The attic room is brilliant and wonderfully lit by JASON TAYLOR. I have to say if feels a little Haunted Mansion than French Chateau, nevertheless it’s a very impressive set giving the actors lots of areas to work from.
Having the set visible from the moment we walked into the theatre was a great idea, it gave us time to take it all in and familiarise ourselves with the layout before the action begins.
George is a slightly different Grace than you may be used to, a little more energetic than pervious interpretations, nevertheless he brought great seriousness and humour to the role, in equal measures.
As for Katie, like many of last nights audience, I really loved her in Coronation Street. This is her first big stage role and it was a joy to see her leave Sinead back on the cobbles of Weatherfield and bring us a fine performance a Grace’s pathologist wife Cleo, and with George they make a really convincing couple.
CLIVE MANTLE is imposing at the best of times. All 6′ 5½”of him, towers above the rest of the cast, including our chopper wielding Knight. This makes Clive perfect for the role of Curtis, the head of a notorious Brighton crime family who are out for revenge for the death of his son, which of course he blames Grace for. He’s also really funny, which is difficult to achieve with a double-barrel shotgun in your hand for most of the play.
Mention should also be given to REBECCA MCKINNIS, who plays Madame L’Eveque, the maid and Curtis’ daughter-in-law. Her ‘Allo-Allo‘ style French accent certainly gave us a good few laughs.
The rest of the cast includes VINCE MALLET as Vicomte L’Eveque, LEON STEWART as Glenn Branson, ALEX STEDMAN is Jack and CALLUM SHERIDAN-LEE is Brent. The Understudies are CHRISTOPHER KILLIK, LIZZIE GRACE and JAYDA KARIUKI.
You can take a look at our original show feature and fins out more about the work of Peter James – HERE.
WISH YOU WERE DEAD is funny and thrilling, with plot twists that will leave you guessing to the very end.
The tour is at the New Theatre in Cardiff through to Saturday 20th May. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Wednesday and Saturday. For more details and to get your tickets, go HERE.
